Will Bose Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones Be Sweat-Proof?

Bose is now taking pre-orders for its Noise Cancelling 700 headphone due to be released at the end of June.  Retailing at $400 (£349.99), the question is will the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 headphone be sweat-proof?

Bose is synonymous with noise-cancelling technology. We’ve written before about company founder, Amar Bose, and his initial research into actively reducing ambient noise to improve headphone performance and since then noise-cancelling technology has been standard in many of the premium models manufactured by Bose and others. In 2018, WhatHiFi described the Sony WH1000MX3 as being ‘The World’s Greatest Noise Cancelling Headphone’. Microsoft’s surface headphone also gives wearers a chance to dial up and dial down noise-cancellation.  Bose may have helped usher in the era of noise-cancelling technology, but there’s now more competition than ever and the QuietComfort 35 II is starting to look its age even with the recent addition of Google Assistant and real-time language translation.  

Bose says that the 700 is an entirely new breed of headphone. Sounds intriguing, and so too is its product description suggesting that the 700 is ‘a defining moment in headphone evolution. Smarter and more capable than anything we’ve ever done before.’

Okay, we’re listening.

What’s more, Bose has revealed two secrets of their research and development department: two new earphones due for release in 2020 meaning that the next 12-months promises to be an exciting time both for the company and for its customers. This has to be Bose’s response to the release of Apple’s AirPods and the PowerBeats Pro and like its over-ear counterpart, the 700 EarPods will also be noise-cancelling.

Will Bose 700 Headphones Be Noise-Cancelling?

Yes, it will have noise-cancelling technology built-in.  Bose promise, too, that you’ll be able to ‘personalise your environment’ with 11-levels of noise-cancelling control. You can dial up or dial down noise control dependent on your preference for that specific space.  It’s a useful thing to have especially in public places as it’s not enough anymore for noise-cancellation to be simply ON or OFF.  Sometimes you need something somewhere in between.  There’s conversation mode, for example, which allows for spoken interruptions.  Bose uses the example that maybe you’re in a coffee shop and would like to make your order when the noise-cancelling is turned on.  You might be in an office, too, when a colleague steps up to ask you something. For us, one of the advantages of this functions is for when you’re mid-stride or mid-rep in the gym; it’s not always practical for you to stop what you’re doing and take off your headphones to hear what someone else is saying.

Is the 700 Replacing the Bose QuietComfort 35 II?

No, Bose will continue to sell and manufacture the QC 35 II but these headphones mark a shift in both technology and quality, so they’re a higher-end product than the QC 35 IIs and will be sold at a higher price.

What Features Will the 700 Headphones Have?

One of the biggest features on the 700 is its augmented reality (AR).  Motion sensors built into the headphone monitor both head orientation and body movement ready to transmit information to an app that then adapts audio content to your location.  Bose gives a few examples on the website: you can tap your headphone for information on nearby attractions making navigation easier, so instead of being told to turn left in 0.3 miles, the AR will say ‘turn left at MacDonald's’.

There are some interesting entertainment options using AR, too, including one where you get to be a secret agent and another that puts you in control of a story that changes depending on your location and movement.  We’re looking forward to finding out more about AR once it's been released.

The design of the 700 headphones is different to the QuietComfort.  Understandable, when you consider the QC range has remained pretty much the same since it was launched in 2006.  And it looks good in Stainless steel with soft foam underside and touch controls on both cups.

Battery life is 20 hours.

These are over-ear headphones weighing 245g, and they’ll fold flat making them especially useful for anyone taking them to the gym.

Bluetooth range is up to 33 feet

A 15-minute charge should give you around enough battery for 3.5-hour playback.

Available in black and silver colours.

Will Bose 700 Headphones Be Sweatproof?

No, the Bose 700 headphones won’t be sweat-proof.  Which is to be expected.  Its QuietComfort 35 II headphones weren’t sweatproof, either. It is possible, however, to stop sweat ruining headphones by buying headphone covers for Bose products.  

EarHugz easily slip over the cushions of both the QC 35 II and the Noise Cancelling 700 to wick moisture away as you exercise protecting both internal components as well as preventing the earpads from smelling of sweat.  EarHugz are available in a range of designs but they’re all reversible to black so they’ll blend right into your Bose headphones.

With a retail price of $400 (£349.99), the Bose Noise Cancelling 700 headphones aren’t something you’re going to want to replace in a hurry.  We’d urge you to add sweat-proof covers to them before you start exercising.  That way, you’ll enjoy these headphones for many years to come.

Looking to buy the QC 35 II headphone? We’d suggest you might want to hold off buying a pair until the 700 is released.  Even though it isn’t a direct replacement, it is possible that Bose will drop the price of the QuietComfort range once its new cans have launched.

What do you think about the Bose 700 headphone?  Are you tempted to pay up and try them out? Or is it really just a lot of additional tech offering limited benefit to most regular wearers?  

Drop us a comment below and let us know.